# Enhancing cognitive control abilities using mobile technology in a senior living community

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · 2020 · $160,916

## Abstract

Project Summary
Deficits in cognitive control, those abilities that allows one to engage in complex, goal-directed behavior, factor
prominently in the functional declines experienced by older adults (OAs). Given that the older human brain still
has the capacity to adapt, there is a critical need put into practice evidence-based approaches to help keep these
individuals cognitive healthy, productive, and independent. Achieving this goal requires the development of
targeted, accessible interventions to slow or reverse declines in these cognitive control processes. However,
while telemedicine and internet-based approaches have been shown to be as effective as in-person treatment,
there is virtually no known information about the optimal protocols for implementing self-administered mobile
cognitive assessments or interventions in community settings like a senior center, or the feasibility of even
attempting such efforts. The goal of this R21 is to test the feasibility of a targeted digital health remediation
program for the older adults in senior living communities to enhance cognitive control abilities based upon an
initial characterization of these abilities. To test this approach, we will use both custom assessments and
interventions that are designed to be 100% self-administered via mobile devices. We will collect data from 120
OAs from the Brookline Senior Living communities, the largest owner and operator of senior living communities
across the United States (1000+ communities, 100,000+ residents) where the average age of residents are 85
years old. Participating individuals will complete cognitive assessments and be randomly assigned to one of
three training groups: directed training (DT), non-directed training (NDT), or an expectancy-matched placebo
control group (PC). The total training experience will encompass 6 weeks of training (3 days/week), with each
training session lasting ~30 minutes. All groups will complete baseline and immediate follow-up assessments of
cognitive and functional outcomes. Evidence of feasibility here using these unique methodological approaches
would provide empirical evidence supporting the basis for a larger-scale implementation of such digital health
technologies into senior community settings.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9856409
- **Project number:** 5R21AG058896-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- **Principal Investigator:** JOAQUIN A ANGUERA
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $160,916
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-02-01 → 2021-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9856409

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9856409, Enhancing cognitive control abilities using mobile technology in a senior living community (5R21AG058896-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9856409. Licensed CC0.

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